# US 10,117,782 B2 · Devices and methods for treating and closing wounds with negative pressure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,782 B2 - Document ID: US10117782B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/403,163 - Filed: 2013-05-23 - Published: 2015-06-04 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-24 - Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc.; University of Massachusetts - Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc.; University of Massachusetts - Inventors: Anthony C. Dagger; Nicholas Charlton Fry; John Kenneth Hicks; Elizabeth Mary Huddleston; Marcus Damian Phillips; Carl Saxby; Raymond M. Dunn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117782B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/01021: {characterised by the structure of the dressing} - A61F 13/05: specially adapted for use with sub-pressure or over-pressure therapy, wound drainage or wound irrigation, e.g. for use with negative-pressure wound therapy [NPWT] - A61M 1/915: {Constructional details of the pressure distribution manifold} - A61M 1/916: {specially adapted for deep wounds} - A61M 1/912: {Connectors between dressing and drainage tube} - A61M 2210/1021: Abdominal cavity - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wound filler for use in treating a wound with negative pressure, comprising: a porous wound filling material; and a plurality of sheets or slabs configured to extend vertically and lengthwise across a wound bed when the wound filler is positioned within the wound bed, the plurality of sheets or slabs being made of a more rigid material than the porous wound filling material; wherein the plurality of sheets or slabs are spaced apart and dispersed throughout the wound filler in a horizontal plane; wherein the plurality of sheets or slabs are fully surrounded by the porous wound filling material in the horizontal plane and the porous wound filling material extends between the plurality of sheets or slabs; wherein the sheets or slabs are aligned parallel to one another; and wherein upon application of negative pressure to the wound filler, the wound filler is configured to contract horizontally with the sheets or slabs reducing vertical movement of the wound filler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein the porous wound filling material surrounds the plurality of sheets or slabs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein the porous wound filling material comprises a plurality of slits or areas in which the plurality of sheets or slabs are inserted. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein flexible material is positioned between the sheets or slabs to allow compression of the sheets or slabs towards each other in a horizontal plane when the wound filler is positioned within a wound bed and is placed under negative pressure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sheets or slabs are adhered to the porous wound filling material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, further comprising one or more draw strings or cords extending through the wound filler configured such that pulling of the draw strings will cause contracting of the wound filler in a horizontal plane. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein the sheets or slabs are spaced apart equally in the wound filler when the wound filler is positioned within a wound bed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein the sheets or slabs are spaced apart unequally in the wound filler when the wound filler is positioned within a wound bed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wound filler of claim 1, wherein the sheets or slabs and the wound filling material are portions of material that are substantially parallel to one another and alternatingly stacked adjacent to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A negative pressure wound therapy system, comprising: the wound filler of claim 1; and a wound cover configured to be placed over the wound filler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising a connection for connecting the wound cover to a source of negative pressure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising a negative pressure source configured to be connected to the wound cover to provide negative pressure to the wound filler when placed within the wound bed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method of treating a wound, comprising: positioning the wound filler of claim 1 into a wound bed; covering the wound filler with a wound cover; and applying negative pressure to the wound cover, wherein the application of negative pressure causes the wound filler to contract horizontally with the sheets or slabs reducing vertical movement of the wound filler.